16 Bodies Found in Clandestine Graves at Ranch in Leona Vicario — Authorities Warn the Number Could Rise

Leona Vicario, Quintana Roo – The horror has resurfaced in northern Quintana Roo. State Attorney General Raciel López Salazar confirmed the discovery of 16 bodies in clandestine graves at Rancho Sac-Lol, located in the rural community of Leona Vicario, within the municipality of Puerto Morelos. López warned that the number of victims could increase as excavations continue, with evidence suggesting additional illegal burials at the site.

The operation is being led by the Special Prosecutor’s Office for Forced Disappearance and Disappearance Committed by Individuals, with support from the National Guard, the Ministry of National Defense (Sedena), and the Puerto Morelos Municipal Police, who secured the area after detecting irregularities on the property.

During the initial forensic work, investigators uncovered multiple graves scattered across the ranch, each containing human remains in an advanced state of decomposition. So far, 16 bodies have been recovered, but authorities say the search continues across other parts of the property that may conceal more victims.

According to recent reports from local media, experts have identified at least 13 points of forensic interest across the ranch, indicating the potential for many more burials. The site, situated along the Valladolid Nuevo–Leona Vicario road, was discovered after surveillance operations detected suspicious activity. Forensic specialists from the Attorney General’s Office (FGE), along with national security forces, have since cordoned off the area, using heavy machinery and specialized equipment due to the difficult terrain.

Among those possibly buried are three taxi drivers from the “César Martín Rosado” union, who disappeared in March along the Ruta de los Cenotes, as well as several young people reported missing since 2024. All remains will undergo genetic testing to confirm their identities.

Investigators believe Rancho Sac-Lol was used as a criminal operations site by a local cell linked to organized crime. Ministerial sources indicate that a former ministerial agent known as “El 60” may be among those responsible, allegedly tied to a criminal organization active in northern Quintana Roo.

Attorney General López emphasized that the priority is to identify the victims, bring those responsible to justice, and determine whether any public officials were complicit. Unofficial sources have suggested that the ranch may have been used for months before its discovery, raising questions about potential local corruption or negligence.

The ongoing investigation has exposed the growing reach of organized crime in Quintana Roo, where rural areas of Puerto Morelos and the Ruta de los Cenotes have increasingly become scenes of disappearances and clandestine graves. The case underscores both the persistence of violence in the region and the government’s urgent task of restoring public trust amid what is shaping up to be one of the most disturbing criminal discoveries in recent years.